Organ meats? Gross, right? Well, even though they may seem gross to most of us, organ meats are an extremely important component of a carnivore’s diet. They contain an array of important trace minerals, vitamins, and amino acids that are essential for helping your pet stay healthy and vital.

Dogs: Approximately 10% of the dog’s diet should consist of organ meat.

Cats: Cats require 15-20% of the total diet to consist of organ meat, mainly liver and heart. Heart meat is a great source of taurine for cats and is essential to them since they cannot synthesize it from precursor substances.

Menu items from 3P Naturals include: Heart & liver from beef, buffalo, lamb, chicken, turkey, duck, and more

NUTRIENTS FOUND IN LIVER AND HEART

Just by adding organ meats to the diet, you will be providing the following important nutrients.

An issue that pops up this time of year is fleas! YUCK! Many pet parents have chosen to feed raw because we don't want to add to the environmental stresses that today's domestic pets are exposed to. Most of us would rather avoid using chemicals to get rid of fleas if we can. Healthy skin is a major factor in keeping fleas at bay. A correctly fed raw diet is a great start to flea prevention along with nutritional supplementation and a natural flea spray that contains essential oils that deter pests. If your pet does have fleas, you will need to treat your pet and your house too. If the flea infestation is bad enough, you may have to go the chemical route but working towards prevention is key! A natural solution for your house other than chemical flea powders is to use diatomaceous earth in all corners, furniture, and on any carpet, you may have. Ask your natural pet food store if they carry this product. There are also effective aromatherapy sprays that can also be used to help deter fleas on a daily basis when your pet goes outside where they could pick up a flea. These options might not always solve a flea issue but they are a great way to prevent flea problems from arising. A great natural option can be found online from Equus Soap Co. If you're worried about a more serious problem like a flea infestation, it's time to talk to your veterinarian. 

Good luck fighting those little fleas this spring!

I have heard from cat owners who say they believe their cat’s chronic vomiting is a normal occurrence.  It definitely is not! If your cat experiencing nausea on a regular basis, it is time to look at the diet and your cat’s overall health. There are several reasons why this scenario occurs:

1. Enzyme deficiency. Often, these cats are looking for any way to add a digestive aid to their diet. They may be excessive grass eaters. They may even try to eat inedible objects. These behaviors are not something to ignore. If an animal has no access to dietary enzymes, the whole organism is compromised and this can lead to disease of the internal organs. If your cat eats only a dry or cooked diet, there are no live enzymes in the food.

Inflammatory disease of the pancreas is a growing concern for veterinarians and pet owners. Vets are noticing this issue coming up more frequently in clinical practice. But what is it? How is it diagnosed? What can cause it? What solutions do we have for helping animals with this problem? Nutrition is an important place to start. The pancreas is a digestive and endocrine organ so it’s logical to start by looking at foods that support healthy digestion and metabolic function. Chronic inflammation of the digestive organ could be a sign of improper diet, hormonal imbalance, blunt abdominal injury, poisoning, infectious disease, immune-mediated illness, and some drug therapies. Azotemia and increased liver enzymes are common with this condition. There are some breeds of dogs that are more prone to getting pancreatitis including Miniature Schnauzers, Miniature Poodles, and Spaniels. German Shepherds are prone to pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) which can also lead to pancreatitis episodes and other health problems. It’s important to do an examination and lab work to determine the most likely cause and treatment. We will look at how we can feed the body and support the pancreas so it can function correctly.

It's about time we made this simple! Switching to raw doesn't have to be hard. The following article breaks it down into easy steps and helpful tips. 

Diseases of the urinary system are common amongst dogs and cats. I'm regularly asked about these issues and so I've put together a guideline on the signs and symptoms as well as dietary solutions that may help you to solve the issue if you choose to take the holistic route. I find that with the appropriate dietary adjustments, most urinary issues can be resolved and/or the intensity of symptoms greatly reduced.

Have you ever wondered if there is anything you can do nutritionally to enhance your dog’s intelligence? Well, there is! Fat balance is one of many important aspects of feeding a balanced raw diet. Sixty percent of the mammalian brain is made up of fat so in order for it to function at its best, it needs brain food, literally!

It has been proven that a healthy diet improves a puppy’s ability to learn faster and remember more. It also enhances an older dog’s ability to retain their mental sharpness and improves their overall sense of well-being. DHA (an omega 3 fatty acid) is especially important for improving memory, learning, and helping to fight mental disorders.

Many of the questions I have received this month have been bone-related so this article is the product of the great questions that were asked. We'll break it down into an easy-to-follow guide on how to feed bones safely and how to choose the best ones for your pet. Bones are a staple when feeding a balanced raw food diet and important for dental/skeletal health but there are many types of bones to choose from. We have a large variety of sizes and shapes to fit the needs of all types of dogs. Certain bones may not be appropriate for certain pets. This guide will help you to decide what kinds of bones will suit your animal best.